After I posted in this thread, I said a little prayer that God help in this discussion because I knew I was very limited in my attempt to respond.

 

I'm very thankful he sent Hatz in 15 minutes later. Thanks for the insight Hatz. :thumb:

 

This is one topic I would love to study more of, Bible translation. Where would be a good general starting point for me?

 

Get yourself an Oxford Annotated Bible, which is published by the Oxford Press. This is a teaching version used by most colleges and universities on bible history, research, and criticism, and it contains an outstanding and well written summary of the history of the various versions and translations of the Bible, all the way up until today, as well as the manuscripts and documents translated from.

 

One caveat: the OAB, as should be expected, is written as a research tool and therefore is non-denominational and education leaning. Therefore, there is a slightly liberal bent to it where it, for instance, challenges who the authors of certain texts actually are, and removes references to the condemnation of homosexuality. This is typically in the more modern versions (maybe Third Edition or higher, called the "New" OAB). However, for the generally-accepted archeaological and canonical history, I don't think it can be topped for the money. Get a version that has the Apocrypha, and on some of the newer versions, many of the ead Sea texts and other recent discoveries.

I've got to say that I've enjoyed this discussion about Translations. Thinks for everyone's input and to 5Wide for starting it.

 

I am disappointed that the individual responsible for the discussion disappeared sometime ago and did not return. It was like the many of the Buckeye faithful that took a while to come back to the College Football forum.

I've got to say that I've enjoyed this discussion about Translations. Thinks for everyone's input and to 5Wide for starting it.

 

I am disappointed that the individual responsible for the discussion disappeared sometime ago and did not return. It was like the many of the Buckeye faithful that took a while to come back to the College Football forum.

 

:thumb:

 

I hope he didn't feel like I started this thread to attack...I seriously wanted to hear the specific examples of why he felt the KJV was superior...the spots where verses were changed. I have no problem with anyone preferring the KJV. I do believe anyone who feels that it is the only translation that is "approved by God" is mistaken however...I think it's an important discussion. He did cite several differences between the NIV and KJV...I would be curious to hear some differences between the KJV and some others (like the NASB, NKJV, ESV, etc.).

 

I tell the story that my pastor told us...he's a high school teacher and had a student once that got saved and started going to church. She had a hard time reading the KJV (as many people do), so she was using a different translation (NIV maybe, not sure). When she came to church with that Bible, someone (might have been the pastor) told her that she was wrong to be using that translation...that the KJV was the only one acceptable. It really discouraged her from reading the Bible and going to church. I don't know how things turned out for her, but the mindset that one translation is superior or that one is inferior can be very damaging, IMO.

The nice thing about having a Parallel Bible with 4 translations (no paraphrases) is that you can compare verses as you read.

Here's a true first hand story for you. My hometown church (an SBC church in Ohio) sponsored a missionary in South Dakota who lived on an Indian reservation. We go on a mission trip with the intention of helping him and his church with VBS and some community service stuff. Turns out when we get there he wants us to paint a house and then a few days later we go to Wednesday service at his church. Now this guy proceeds to give a sermon on how the KJV 1611 is the only bible that should be used.

 

My pastor at the time used the NASB and so do I. We go very upset and left a day early. He didn't do any missions work with us and just insulted us. We came to do good things and his dogma ruined it.

Here's a true first hand story for you. My hometown church (an SBC church in Ohio) sponsored a missionary in South Dakota who lived on an Indian reservation. We go on a mission trip with the intention of helping him and his church with VBS and some community service stuff. Turns out when we get there he wants us to paint a house and then a few days later we go to Wednesday service at his church. Now this guy proceeds to give a sermon on how the KJV 1611 is the only bible that should be used.

 

My pastor at the time used the NASB and so do I. We go very upset and left a day early. He didn't do any missions work with us and just insulted us. We came to do good things and his dogma ruined it.

Why was it your dogma that KJV is not the only bible not ruining it?

 

BTW, I don't think the KJV is the only version that can be used?

The nice thing about having a Parallel Bible with 4 translations (no paraphrases) is that you can compare verses as you read.

 

I don't have a parallel. I plan on getting one eventually. As of now, I just have to compare the old fashioned way.:thumb:

I am sorry I could not get back sooner but sometimes duty calls. I am never offended by a discussion. I am also smart enough to know when it is time to disagree. My Christian believe is based one hundred percent in faith. I believe that Jesus litterally died for my sins. I believe that God's word is complete and correct. If the Bible says that God created the earth in 6 days then I believe it was created in 6.000 days. If the bible says there were dragons (dinosaurs) then I believe there were. I believe in an all powerful God who is capable of keeping his word intact. I believe that for the last 400 years we have been using the Bible he gave us. I beleve when I go to me knees and talk to him that he not only hears what I say but that he answers me. I believe that when I was saved the Holy Spirit (part of the trinity) moved into my heart. I know there is a lot of science (some later proved untrue) that points to evolution and there is a lot of old text that do not alway agree. Anytime I am in doubt of what to do or believe I ask The Father. Gentlemen I will never convince any of you that you are wrong. But I can assure you that you will never convince me to accept what the world thinks over what I believe by faith, prayer and the Holy Spirit that dwells in me.

Thank you for listening.

:thumb:

 

I hope he didn't feel like I started this thread to attack...I seriously wanted to hear the specific examples of why he felt the KJV was superior...the spots where verses were changed. I have no problem with anyone preferring the KJV. I do believe anyone who feels that it is the only translation that is "approved by God" is mistaken however...I think it's an important discussion. He did cite several differences between the NIV and KJV...I would be curious to hear some differences between the KJV and some others (like the NASB, NKJV, ESV, etc.).

 

I tell the story that my pastor told us...he's a high school teacher and had a student once that got saved and started going to church. She had a hard time reading the KJV (as many people do), so she was using a different translation (NIV maybe, not sure). When she came to church with that Bible, someone (might have been the pastor) told her that she was wrong to be using that translation...that the KJV was the only one acceptable. It really discouraged her from reading the Bible and going to church. I don't know how things turned out for her, but the mindset that one translation is superior or that one is inferior can be very damaging, IMO.

 

No, you were just continuing the conversation from another thread in the approriate fashion. You started a new one. I'm glad you did. :thumb:

I am sorry I could not get back sooner but sometimes duty calls. I am never offended by a discussion. I am also smart enough to know when it is time to disagree. My Christian believe is based one hundred percent in faith. I believe that Jesus litterally died for my sins. I believe that God's word is complete and correct. If the Bible says that God created the earth in 6 days then I believe it was created in 6.000 days. If the bible says there were dragons (dinosaurs) then I believe there were. I believe in an all powerful God who is capable of keeping his word intact. I believe that for the last 400 years we have been using the Bible he gave us. I beleve when I go to me knees and talk to him that he not only hears what I say but that he answers me. I believe that when I was saved the Holy Spirit (part of the trinity) moved into my heart. I know there is a lot of science (some later proved untrue) that points to evolution and there is a lot of old text that do not alway agree. Anytime I am in doubt of what to do or believe I ask The Father. Gentlemen I will never convince any of you that you are wrong. But I can assure you that you will never convince me to accept what the world thinks over what I believe by faith, prayer and the Holy Spirit that dwells in me.

Thank you for listening.

 

 

I never really thought I'd "convince" you of anything. I just am glad that there are legitimate points raised here to counter a point that merely states "I believe this." It's good you do have faith. But that is not really what the debate was about. For me it is faith in a God that gave me a mind and a heart to seek him and find him using those tools.

Why was it your dogma that KJV is not the only bible not ruining it?

 

BTW, I don't think the KJV is the only version that can be used?

 

Probably because the limitations over such peripheral doctrine as "what translation must be used" is not very good in building, serving or sharing the Kingdom.

 

This missionary was adding to the requirements for being faithful to God and I applaud MoreheadEagle and his pastor for being upset their missions dollars were being used less as a partnership and more as a ministry with added goals beyond sharing the Good News.

Why was it your dogma that KJV is not the only bible not ruining it?

 

BTW, I don't think the KJV is the only version that can be used?

 

Because this guy obviously wasn't concerned about the fact we had driven halfway across the country to help his ministry. He thought he'd use the opportunity to "witness" to us about the use of a different translation of the bible. That was the problem. We didn't bring it up and were blindsided by this guy.

 

We no longer give to this guy. My church (I've since moved) is helping to sponsor another missionary in the same region IIRC.

Because this guy obviously wasn't concerned about the fact we had driven halfway across the country to help his ministry. He thought he'd use the opportunity to "witness" to us about the use of a different translation of the bible. That was the problem. We didn't bring it up and were blindsided by this guy.

 

But he probably appreciated your Cooperative Program dollars just the same.

I am sorry I could not get back sooner but sometimes duty calls. I am never offended by a discussion. I am also smart enough to know when it is time to disagree. My Christian believe is based one hundred percent in faith. I believe that Jesus litterally died for my sins. I believe that God's word is complete and correct. If the Bible says that God created the earth in 6 days then I believe it was created in 6.000 days. If the bible says there were dragons (dinosaurs) then I believe there were. I believe in an all powerful God who is capable of keeping his word intact. I believe that for the last 400 years we have been using the Bible he gave us. I beleve when I go to me knees and talk to him that he not only hears what I say but that he answers me. I believe that when I was saved the Holy Spirit (part of the trinity) moved into my heart. I know there is a lot of science (some later proved untrue) that points to evolution and there is a lot of old text that do not alway agree. Anytime I am in doubt of what to do or believe I ask The Father. Gentlemen I will never convince any of you that you are wrong. But I can assure you that you will never convince me to accept what the world thinks over what I believe by faith, prayer and the Holy Spirit that dwells in me.

Thank you for listening.

 

The only thing I really disagree with you on is your assertion that the King James Bible is THE Bible and all others are wrong.

 

I don't mind at all if people prefer the King James. What I don't like is when they try to claim it's the only Bible that gives you the correct word of God. That line of thought is wrong on so many levels...

 

But, for the sake of the discussion, I prefer the ESV, NKJV, and NASB...can you point me to some examples of where these translations stray from the truth and are inferior to the King James? I'd like to analyze them for myself. :thumb:

To be entirely technical, we don't even speak the same language as the KJV bible. It's English but a different form. What about English Bibles before 1611? Were they not the truth? And when English evolves into something else (which it will) what about then?

 

Oh and here's an example of English from the 12-1300s. It's the intro to Caterbury Tales as it would have sounded then.